The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-07
COST OF RUNNING THE CITY
Expenses Do Not Increase Proportionate
with the Growth of Population.
Council Curtails Expenses by Spending
Little for Street Improvements.


undertakes to adjust the city's expenditures &C
cording to revenues, close trimming Is neces-
sary. During the current year the COMMITTEES
has several times attempted work of pairing,
but after going the list of depart
ments and estimates for each, any. idea of re-
ducing expenses was put aside for future con-
sideration. At the beginning OF the year the
prospect for getting through without deficit
was not fattering. But thus far the city's
finances. while not ready TO burst with a sur
plus, sufficient, by close management, to
bring the expenditures and the revenues out
nearly even. When economy to meet
exigencies is talked of, the fact
that the city at all times has
only limited levy disturbs any well laid
plans. The revenues have been kept up to the
limit. 1t could not be otherwise. and the f.
nance committee has often wished that it had
few cents more on every 500 Of taxable values
to utilize. When the real estate valuation was
reduced, the committee was almost in despair
at the outlook of diminished revenue from that
source. but it has recovered. and by good steer
ing has avoided. far possible, the 500. 600
deficit promised. There may be small short
age. for the revenues have hardly kept pace
with the necessarily increased expenditures,
and it would be difficult to see in what depart
ment more stringent economy could have been
made without embarrassing the city's admins
tration.
indianapolis has over 100000 people, ard to
answer the needs of their municipal government
only 600 officials including teachers and every
body connected with the schools, required.
In some of the departments the service is done
with such a small force and with so little means
at command that it is insufficient The Board
of for inst do HAITI
it had more money and mon. Sanitary inspec-
tions aud the enforcement of sanitary laws
only half done, because this most important part
Of the city's government is intrusted to three
men, exclusive of the members of the board.
One of these three remains in the Office
at sill times, the outdoor service
must be done by two officers, with
the assistance of the Metropolitan police.
But many streets and alleys tell 50 plainly that
they need attention that one has right to
think the entire inspection falls upon the two
sanitary officers. Indianapolis is a much larger
city than it eleven years ago, and vet dur
ing that period the expenditures of the Board of
Health increased from 81. 12S. OF to 81
922. 90 an average increase of about $3.50 per
year The entire expenditure for sanitary mat
short of 500. 000 More money is paid ont an
nually for free medical services for the poor than
for keeping the city clean and healthy. In 1873
the City Dispensary cost $1,000 For the past
So, 600. there being but one instance when the
amount was less That three years ago,
when the expenditure reached Sl,e4S 9a g FOR
the past eleven years the total expenditures for
free medicines and medical attention, were $34,-
SCI 81 or more than double the amount for the
Board of Health. 1t is pertinent to suggest II the
city could not indirectly economic little by
cutting down gratuitous medical services,
and add the savings to the Board of Health
fund, in order to insure a cleaner and healthier
city.
In addition to the free dispensary the city
maintains hospital at average yearly cost
of $40, 600, a total for eleven years of $780,
1872 This refers only to current expenses and
does not include repairs and other items of ex-
pense. While the City Dispensary keeps sam
pIoyed five persons the hospital requires eight |
cen for its service For current expenses alone. |
including those Of the dispensary. the sick of |
the city have in eleven years cost $40 353 while
the Board of Health has expended the meager |
sum of $40, 600, in round numbers, to prevent
sickness. It is possible that the Council finance |
committee, in considering plans. for economy,
allowed this fact to escape 1t and was willing to
pay more for curing sick man than in keeping |
the city in healthy condition.
To manage the disorcerly and the criminals |
eighty-two policemen are necessary and the aver |
age annual cost has been $685. AL They appear |
be ecien the number OF arrests here 10 less
in proportion to the population than in any other
city. Great crimes have been rare for the past |
few years and the wickedness and law breaking |
registered at the police station is confined prin-
cipaly to small offenders Over this expenditure |
the Council has control. The Police Commis- |
sioners do as they please in regard to ex- |
penses, while the city must pay the bills. The |
fire department is another good service, main |
tanned at an average annual expenditure of |
300 600. For the eleveuyears from 1875 to 1886 |
it cost $780, 83. 1t gives employ |
ment to seventy eight men.
The next largest department is that of streets, /
in which sixty-fve mon are almost constantly |
at an average yearly expediture of |
about $50, 600, although since 1883 the ex |
peuses in pay-rolls have not been |
more than $50 000 Last year $40, 176 % |
was expended on street improvements, when the |
year before only So. l35. IS expended. The |
outlay in this respect varies according to the |
revenues. II they warrant il, street improve
ments find ready supporters. but the trimming |
latterly has been done in this class of expenses,
and will be until the city's resources more /
than 90 cents on 500, with taxable valuation
of $4S. 756, sos.
In the other departments but few men are |
employed, the city clerks Office having three, |
the engineers four, and the city attorneys two.
In addition to those there Ave ianitors. two |
market masters. and two weighers and wood |
measurers, with the city sexton to bring up the |
rear. That is the official list Of Indianapolis. |
outside of the departments named, and the sal |
ary account averages annually $25, 900. /
1t has taken $27l 567 since 1875 to pay all claims
of officials
In the schools 293 teachers are employed, and |
it req ures about $175 900 per year pay them, |
while the other expenses carry the aggregate up !
to 1925, 0O0
Losses by Fire.